Superman 1938

I recently subscribed to the DC Universe Online, mainly because I wanted to read DC comics; something that I didn't really do during my comic book reading days.

I started with Superman #1 (which premiered June, 1938) and read up to issue #9. I have to say that this version of Superman is quite a bit different than the silver or bronze age depictions. In these early issues, Superman's origin is different, his powers are different, and his personality is different.

His planet of birth, Krypton, dies of 'old age.' A friendly scientist -- not his father -- places the infant Superman into a space-ship, sending it to Earth.

A passing motorist discovers the space-ship with the infant Superman and places the child in an orphanage. There is no mention of Ma and Pa Kent.

As an adult, Clark Kent works for the Daily Star, not the Daily Planet.

Superman can't fly, doesn't have heat-ray vision, doesn't have x-ray vision. There's no mention of super-breath, super-speed, or any of a dozen other abilities that he would later employ. There's no mention of him being harmed by kryptonite. He's strong, capable of bending steel bars. He can leap 1/8 of a mile! And he's bulletproof, with only a 'shell-burst' capable of piercing his skin.

Oh, and this Superman is a jerk, doubtless because he grew up in an orphanage... and by the way, Lois is a jerk too! Superman spies on people -- a lot. He's a bully, who terrifies ordinary citizens as well as crooks, and he casually beats up on people, usually mocking them as he does so.

Notes: On the first page of issue #1 it is stated that Superman can leap 1/8 of a mile, or 132" in Mighty Protectors terms. I therefore tried to get his leaping distance as close to this number as possible.

Superman 1938 PDF

Superman 1938 Image

Superman Origin

Superman is a Spy

Superman is a Jerk I

Superman is a Jerk II

Superman is a Jerk III

Lois is a Jerk Too

Superman #1 Cover

Superman is a trademark of DC Comics. Mighty Protectors is a trademark of Monkey House Games. This write-up is by B.K. Adams.

The Face

Here is another Mighty Protectors write-up of a Golden-Age superhero. This time it's The Face, an athletic radio announcer who fights against the Axis forces during World War II while wearing a frightening rubber mask!

Yes, the premise is goofy... but more often than not goofy is what we got back in those golden age comics. The Face, created by Mart Bailey, debuted in Big Shot Comics #1, published May 1940. The comic ran until #104, the final issue.

This write-up reflects his stats and abilities as they existed as a starting superhero.

Face MP Character Sheet*

Cover of Issue #1

Face Pin-up Art

* The text shown in the story section is from an article about the Face on Wikipedia.

The Face is considered to be in the Public Domain. The artwork depicted here is from the original comics. This write-up is BK Adams.

The Green Turtle

Here is my Mighty Protectors write-up of the Green Turtle, a Golden-Age superhero who fought against the Japanese invaders during World War II. The Green Turtle and Burma Boy (the Turtle's sidekick) were created by Chu F. Hing, debuting in Blazing Comics #1, published in 1944. The Turtle is considered to be the first Asian-American superhero.

He has no "real" super-powers, although in my interpretation of his abilities I did give him Luck and Heightened Defense based upon his Luck roll. He relies on his luck, his wits, his two fists and his fantastic Rocket-Powered Plane to fight against the Japanese.

In issue #1 he saves a beggar boy from being murdered by Japanese soldiers. The boy becomes the Turtle's sidekick, calling himself "Burma Boy."

The Turtle has a hidden mountain lair (see pic below), but in the five issues total that were created, not much is shown.

Hidden Mountain Lair

Green Turtle MP Sheet

Green Turtle MP Vehicle Sheet

Burma Boy MP Sheet

Cover of Blazing Comics #2

Green Turtle and Burma Boy are considered to be in the Public Domain. The artwork shown is from the original comic run. The write-ups are by me, BK Adams.

Black Terror

Here's my Mighty Protectors take on two more Golden Age super heroes: Black Terror and Kid Terror. The Black Terror debuted in Exciting Comics #9, published by Nedor Comics in January 1941.

Origin, courtesy of fandom.wikia.com:

Pharmacist Bob Benton was being harassed for protection money. After he convinced the goons to give him one more day, they stormed out - knocking down teenager Tim Roland on the way. Feeling bad for Tim, Benton hired him as his assistant.

That evening, Benton and Tim were working on Bob's secret project - trying to develop a formula to help "run down people," as Bob puts it. Tim accidentally adds formic acid, which comes from red ants. The resulting "formic ethers" gave Benton super strength and invulnerability. He decided to use these powers to fight crime, starting with the goons who were hounding him. He sent Tim to a costume shop and then became the Black Terror.

After putting an end to their racket, Tim learned of a plot to crash a subway train. The Black Terror went to prevent the crash. Tim, thinking the Terror may need help, reproduced the experiment and developed the same powers as Bob. Tim showed up in the nick of time and the crash was prevented

The Black Terror and his sidekick Tim, together known as the Terror Twins, went on to fight threats both domestic and foreign during and after World War II.

Exciting Comics #9 Cover

Black Terror MP Sheet

Kid Terror MP Sheet

Black Terror and Kid Terror are public domain characters, although some of the art shown may be subject to copyright. The Mighty Protectors write-ups are by me, BK Adams.

Miss Masque

Here's my MP take on Miss Masque, a Golden Age hero who made her debut in Nedor Comics' Exciting Comics #51, published September 1946. 

She has no real super powers, just devastating good looks, wit, and a pair of pistols that she is quite handy with! I've made her as if she were a starting Low Power hero.

There are numerous ways to introduce Miss Masque into your Mighty Protectors campaign. One common means is to use time-travel! Either send the PCs back in time for an adventure where they meet or have her -- and possibly other Golden Age heroes -- travel forward in time.

First Appearance of Miss Masque

Miss Masque MP Character Sheet

Miss Masque is a public domain character, the write-up is by me, BK Adams.